The shelter was recently looking for a new dryer as theirs had quit working. Thanks to a wonderful citizen, the shelter has a dryer (pending pick up). A new washer is the next thing on the agenda, the one they have is still working, for now. The shelter appliances get a lot of use, and dog hair is none too gentle on washer and dryers! It is important to keep any bedding or blankets clean and dry so the dogs can stay healthy and happy.
The shelter will also be participating in a big adoption event in Columbia, MO on July 29th. A few dogs from the HOUNDS Program will be there, and I think a couple of dogs in foster homes will be there as well. Will have more information on that in the next few days!
** UPDATE ** Adoption Event Information
When: Sunday, July 29th
Time: 9am-2pm
Where: Mojo's Bar in Columbia, MO. This is an outside event.
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| Gracie is a gorgeous female (spayed) lab mix. She is right at around a year old. She was such a shy quiet gal in the shelter, and she is still pretty shy today, and it would be best if she was in a quiet home, with atleast one other dog. She is up to date on her shots, and on heart worm prevention meds. Gracie is a HOUNDS Program graduate, currently residing in a foster home. |
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| Addie was just a puppy when she entered into the HOUNDS Program, and here she is all grown up! She is not quite a year old yet. She is a sheperd/rotty mix we think, but she is absolutely gorgeous! She loves to play and wants to be your friend! She doesn't mind other dogs and seems to like children too. She also loves to play in water. Addie is a HOUNDS Program graduate currently residing in a foster home. |
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| Bailey was featured in a blog previous to this one. He was pulled from the shelter a few months ago. Bailey is neutered, and up to date on shots. He is a sweet boy, a bit head strong. He is a chihuahua/terrier mix. Does fine with other dogs as soon as he gets over his adjustment period. Make sure you feed him in a seperate food bowl. He likes to go outside, and enjoys the dog park. He also LOVES car rides! Bailey has been residing in a foster home, NOT a HOUNDS program dog. |
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| Fox is a 2-4 year old terrier mix. He has been neutered, and up to date on shots. He is potty trained, and doesn't mind other dogs too much. And does ok with kids. He is a handsome boy! When I have seen him he has always been calm, and more along the lines of a lap dog. He is currently in a Foster home and looking for his FUR EVER home. NOT a HOUNDS Program dog. |
There will be a new group of dogs graduating from the HOUNDS Program the end of July/beginning of August. A bunch of sweet hearts!! I am hoping they are graduated in time to be able to attend the adoption event in Columbia!
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| Roxy is a very sweet girl, I don't know a whole lot about her circumstances that brought her to the shelter as a puppy. But I know when I met her she was sweet and friendly and eager to play. She has grown since this photo was taken though so she is bigger. She will be graduating the HOUNDS Program soon! Spayed, up to date on shots, on heart worm prevention meds. She is a Sheperd mix of sorts. |
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| This is Rocky, and he certainly has the eye of the tiger! He is a gorgeous boy! Very loving and sweet and hard working. We think he is a chow mix, but is the sweetest boy! Poor boy sat at the shelter for quite awhile, I was afraid for him. When I heard they were sending him to the HOUNDS program, I was absolutely THRILLED! He just wants to love you and play. He is graduating the HOUNDS program soon. |
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| Meet Jax, he is actually already adopted, but I wanted to recognize him anyway! He'll be graduating the HOUNDS Program soon. Jax came to the shelter on a possible abandonment, and he came with a sweet pup named Sissy. Sissy was adopted, and they decided Jax would be perfect for the HOUNDS program. Little did we know, that Jax, is a Daddy! Little Sissy had puppies almost 4 weeks ago. That wa quite a surprise for Sissy's new family! Jax looks to be a springer spaniel/Aussie mix. A total sweet heart, and I'm glad he's already found a home. |
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| Gypsy has been the queen of the HOUNDS Program, stealing hearts wherever she goes. She came to the shelter as a dirty, scared, hungry dog that had been found roaming a yard sale. She was chosen for the HOUNDS Program, and look at her now! She is one gorgeous happy dog. She is looking for JUST the right FUR EVER home. Gypsy is spayed, up to date on shots and on heart worm prevention meds. |
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| Apollo is a a corgi/lab mix and he is just too cute for words. Friendly and loving he wants to play and is eager to learn. I think he will do very well in the HOUNDS program! He is neutered, up to date on shots, and on heart worm prevention meds. He will be entering the HOUNDS Program the beginning of August and will be in the program for 8 weeks. |
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| Freckles, is one amazing little pup. She has grown since this picture was taken, but she is very adorable and sweet. Parvo swept through our shelter killing many of our puppies. Freckles was literally our last remaining puppy. With a lot of work, dedication, and donations from many kind people, Freckles BEAT Parvo! She has spent the last several weeks at a wonderful foster home out in the country. She is now entering into the HOUNDS Program the beginning of August. I know she'll do well! She will be in the program for 8 weeks. Spayed, up to date on shots, and on heart worm prevention meds. |
Please remember, when you adopt a dog from the HOUNDS Program you HAVE to keep up the training, you cannot expect them to come out perfect and that all the work has been done for you. The work continues, it is ON GOING. You have to continually reinforce the training and reward good behavior. If you have questions on how to continue the training at home, ask. The dogs are trained with verbal, and hand commands. The dogs at the HOUNDS Program are taught basic commands (nothing fancy) sit, stay, lay down commands. They are kennel trained (they have to sleep in a kennel at night), and they are potty trained. They are also trained to be on a leash. However, that doesn't mean they aren't going to slip up once in awhile. That's where you come in. Rewarding positive behavior gets the best results.
These dogs are beautiful, smart, loving dogs. The shelter chooses carefully on what dogs they want to send to the program. They only send the dogs they are certain will be the best fit for the program and that will get adopted. They need to be a pretty calm dog, getting along well with other dogs is a must (since in the HOUNDS Program dogs so often are close together and pass each other in the halls you can't have them attacking each other).
The $120 adoption fee includes that the dog is spayed/neutered, and is up to date on all their shots, and is on heart worm prevention meds. This fee also helps send another dog into the HOUNDS Program. The program takes 8 weeks from start to finish, and the dogs must pass their "graduating" tests.
When adopting a pet there are several things to keep in mind:
We always encourage people to adopt a pet from their local animal shelter or humane society, but what people forget to tell those interested in adopting, is what they need to take into consideration before adopting a pet. We encourage people to adopt and be responsible pet owners.
There are a few questions you need to stop and ask yourself before you adopt, and a few things you need to be aware of before adopting that cute little puppy before you at the shelter.
It is a state law in Missouri that all dogs adopted from the shelter/humane society be spayed/neutered by atleast 30 days after adoption. This is to help ensure that more puppies are not being bred and born and end up back in the shelter. It is a state law.
There are programs out there that can help you in paying for your pets spaying/neuturing. Contact your local humane societies and see if they do a special each month where it is a bit cheaper, or if they offer vouchers in your area. There is also the SNaP program that can help you as well. You need to go to the SNaP website and fill out an application to see if you meet the qualifications for their assistance: www.snapmo.org
Things to remember when adopting: Are you living in a place that allows pets? Many times people get an animal and "sneak" it passed the land lord and then get caught and suddenly it's either get rid of the pet or get kicked out, which do you think most people choose? They get rid of the dog they just adopted to be part of their family knowing they were not allowed to have that pet where they are living.
Sure that puppy is little NOW and so very cute, but just how large will it get? It is hard to tell many times just how big a pet will get when you adopt it from a shelter. Just because it's the tiniest puppy in the litter when you adopt it, doesn't mean you won't end up with a 40lbs dog a few months down the road. Are you equipped to deal with a large dog? Is your home large enough? Are their guidelines at your home if you rent, that say you cannot have a dog over a certain weight limit? These are things to check into before adopting a pet. Some places have a 20lbs weight limit on dogs.
Will you be able to afford the medical care for this pet? Cats/dogs need shots atleast once a year, puppies have to go in a few more times for shots (for like parvo especially). Dogs and cats need to be kept wormed, and dogs should be checked for heart worms (it's a slow and painful death), and they need to be kept on heart worm prevention medication. Will you be able to handle the medical part of owning a pet. There are also the emergency vet trips, should say your dog manage to get ahold of something it isn't supposed to, or get injured in some way.
While it is encouraged to have your pet microchipped, you need to atleast have ID tags on your dog, that aren't just rabies tags (though your pet should always wear their rabies shots too!) can you get your pet microchipped and/or get them ID tags to wear all the time? Your pet will need a sturdy durable collar, a sturdy durable leash, some pets need a sturdy durable harness. Will your pet be kennel trained? If so that is another expense you will need to consider.
Will you have the time/patience to handle potty training your dog? Whether the pet be a puppy or an adult dog, if it's coming from a shelter it might not happen to already be house trained. There are many cases of owners relinquishing their pet just because it won't stop pottying in the house. Pets aren't born knowing where to go potty, much like a small child. It takes time and patience and consistency to potty train a child or a pet.
Will you have the time/patience to train your dog? Is this breed of dog a particularly stubborn breed when it comes to training? Do your research when it comes to what kind of dog you are wanting, have an idea of what will work for your family. Do you like high energy dogs? Do you need a calmer more laid back gentle dog?
If you have other pets, introduce them to the new pet in a "neutral" zone, like at the dog park or another favorite walking place.
Realize that large, medium, and small dogs all need lots of excercise. Take your pet to the dog park, take them on walks, play with them, buy them toys and use them. Praise good behavior as well.
If your pet isn't getting the excercise/attention it needs then your pet may develope unwanted behaviorial issues, which many of these can be a fairly simple fix just by upping the pets excercise, and play time with you, or changing their diet.
Can you provide adequate shelter for this pet? Will you be letting your pet live in the house with you? Or will this pet be living a life "on the chain" in the back yard, all day every day for the rest of its life. If your pet has to live outside, please make sure it has adequate shelter, an appropriate sized dog house with blankets or hay to keep it warm in the winter, and a nice shady cool place in the summer, and provide a little kiddie pool for the pet to play in when it is hot to help keep them cool. Keep them in the grass during the summer so their feet do not burn, and keep them in the shade so they do not over heat and have a heat stroke or sunburn.
Will you be able to afford to feed this pet? Many pets have sensitivities to certain foods and can recquire a special dog food. Big dogs have a tendancy to eat a LOT more than a small pet. Can you buy age appropriate food? Kittens and puppies should be fed kitten and puppy foods designed for their little digestive systems.
Can you make sure this pet is socialized? Pets need to be socialized around other adults, children, and other pets whether it be cats or dogs. Other wise you may end up with a pet that is scared to death of or attacks guests or freaks out when you take the pet somewhere.
Do you have time to take your pet on a walk?
A pet is a long time commitment, do you have the time to put in to this pet for the long haul. Can you be there for your pet through thick and thin? Having a pet is much like having a child. Your pet depends on YOU for food, water, shelter, medical care, and love.
Just because you think your pet is the cutest dog in the world, and you think if you take it to the shelter it will get adopted right away, that doesn't necessarily make it so. Your beloved pet can sit in the shelter for days and days waiting for someone to come take it home, not understanding why it is here, where did their owner go, what did they do wrong. If they are not adopted, and they are one of the unlucky dogs at a kill shelter then they will be put down. They will either be humanely euthenized, or they will be gassed, which is an awful death. Can you imagine that sweet pet who has loved and adored you for so long, who you at one time loved and wanted and cared for you and doted on...being in a shelter, and being taken away to die, begging and pleading with it's scared little eyes crying for it's family to come save it.
Those are just a few things to consider before you adopt a pet.
- Would you take your toddler to the pound because it pottied on the floor? No.
- Would you give away your child just because you "didn't have time for it anymore"? No.
- Would you give away your child because they kept getting in to stuff? No.
- Would you leave your child tied up outside all day in the hot hot sun with no shade and no water? No.
- Would you leave your child outside all day in the freezing cold and snow and rain with no shelter? No.
- Would you continually deny your child medical care when they are ill? No.
Mahala Dixson
(Shelter Volunteer: Photographing shelter dogs, maintaining the social media for the shelter)
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